Ribbon Street Bench

Ribbon Street Bench

Ribbon Street Bench is an innovative urban furniture design that revolutionizes the traditional concept of public seating through its ergonomic approach and sculptural form. This sophisticated street furniture piece, designed by Di Hu and team, represents a harmonious blend of functionality and aesthetic excellence, incorporating five distinct profile curves derived from comprehensive studies of natural human resting postures: tucked-in, deep, straight-up, lean back, and lounging positions. The bench's distinctive design features a series of parallel plywood frames, each 35mm wide and spaced 50mm apart, connected through an ingenious system of steel rods and wooden spacers. This slatted construction not only creates a visually striking semi-transparent effect when viewed frontally but also serves practical purposes by facilitating water drainage, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor installations. The bench's meandering form, achieved through smooth transitions between different ergonomic profiles, demonstrates exceptional attention to human comfort while simultaneously functioning as an urban sculpture that integrates seamlessly with street-side planters and landscaping. The design's technical innovation lies in its construction methodology, utilizing less than 3 cubic meters of wood volume while maintaining structural integrity through threaded rods and nuts. This street furniture piece, recognized with a Bronze A' Design Award in the Street and City Furniture Design category, exemplifies outstanding achievement in addressing urban seating needs while contributing to the aesthetic enhancement of public spaces. Its versatile design makes it particularly suitable for various urban settings, including city plazas, community squares, and promenades, where it serves both as a functional resting spot and an architectural element that enriches the urban landscape.

urban furniture design, ergonomic street seating, public space innovation, sustainable street furniture, architectural bench design, sculptural urban elements

— Adam Dawson